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The Islamic Republic of Mauritania faces significant challenges stemming from its sparsely populated, arid landscape, which exacerbates food insecurity and malnutrition. Recurrent droughts and floods, intensified by climate change, have left almost 365,000 people vulnerable – with more than 13 percent suffering from acute malnutrition during the lean season of 2024.

Mauritania relies heavily on agriculture and pastoralism. However, only 0.4 percent of its land is suitable for agriculture, further complicated by degraded environments and poor market infrastructure. This contributes to high poverty rates and unemployment, particularly in rural areas where 70 percent of the population resides.

The World Food Programme (WFP), working with the Government of Mauritania and partners, spearheads resilience-building efforts, like our food assistance for assets and school-meal activities.

Mauritania also faces challenges as a host country for over 122,000 Malian refugees in the Mbera camp, straining already limited resources. WFP's interventions provide a lifeline, offering support including food distributions and malnutrition services, with a focus on building self-reliance.

WFP supports the National School Meal Programme, to ensure that children do not leave school due to hunger or the need to work to support their families.

WFP integrates gender-transformative approaches to empower women and promote equality in nutrition and community development initiatives.

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What the World Food Programme is doing in Mauritania

Crisis response
WFP focuses on assisting crisis-affected populations, particularly Malian refugees, with an emphasis on transition towards self-reliance. WFP aims to provide comprehensive humanitarian packages, including food, school meals and nutritional support. Additionally, WFP provides cash-based assistance for food security and specific nutrition-related purchases.
Resilience building
WFP helps smallholder farmers transition to commercial agriculture, through training and support in areas including access to markets and financial assistance, Moreover, WFP prioritizesgender equality, promoting equal participation in decision-making and introducing gender-sensitive programmes. Additionally, WFP addresses nutritional needs by distributing fortified foods and school meals, and providing counselling and community-based nutrition initiatives.
Social protection/capacity strengthening
WFP improves Mauritania's social protection system by providing technical support that strengthens government institutions' capacity. This includes helping to improve policy, coordination, data and finance. WFP supports the National Social Protection Strategy and cash transfers. We strengthen lean-season interventions by improving payment systems and promoting financial inclusion via mobile and bank transfers. WFP pilots decentralized school meals and nutrition programmes to address malnutrition among vulnerable populations.
Logistics
Given the vast distances by land, and security concerns, WFP's United Nations Humanitarian Air Service plays a crucial role in providing air-transport services to the wider humanitarian community. We support over 40 organizations in reaching vulnerable populations. WFP's provision of on-demand services and technical assistance to the government and partners further supports national capacities in logistics, shipping, warehousing, transportation and procurement.

Publications

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In focus

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Mauritania is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
ARC Replica Canada UN CERF ECHO France

Operations in Mauritania

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Contacts

Office

Ilot K Lot No. 217A, Nouakchott, Mauritania
Nouakchott
Mauritania

Phone
+222 45 25 27 93
Fax
+222 45 25 32 84
Email
WFP.Nouakchott@wfp.org
For media inquiries
WFP.Nouakchott@wfp.org
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